Make a parts list column invisible

Make a parts list column invisible

jweerts
Explorer Explorer
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11 Replies
Message 1 of 12

Make a parts list column invisible

jweerts
Explorer
Explorer

We use Inventor for a long time in our company and currently we use version 2014.

 

In Inventor you got some options to show or hide rows in a parts list.

My question for you is if this also possible for columns.

In our company we need to a column for Spare and Wear parts.

We copy the parts with his properties from the parts list.

 

I would like to add a column which contains the information whether the part is a spare, a wear or a normal part.

This column I wouldn’t like to see on the drawing. 

Therefore, is it possible to make a (this) column invisible for the drawing, but visible for the table.

 

If this isn’t possible, is there another option in inventor maybe?

 

I hope your can help us.

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Accepted solutions (2)
3,133 Views
11 Replies
Replies (11)
Message 2 of 12

Vladimir.Ananyev
Alumni
Alumni
Accepted solution

You cannot hide PartsList column.  As a workaround you may create two versions of the table with and without this extra column.


Vladimir Ananyev
Developer Technical Services
Autodesk Developer Network

Message 3 of 12

rhasell
Advisor
Advisor
Accepted solution

Just stumbled upon your post.

 

What you can do is change the column width to a 1 or smaller.

 

When you edit the parts list, it can then be resized, but will still be invisible on the drawing

 

1: Edit the parts list.

2: RMB on the column you wich to hide.

3: select "Column Width"

4: set to a 1

 

 

Reg
2026.1
Message 4 of 12

jweerts
Explorer
Explorer

Thank you both for your time and effort!

 

Since the collumn can't be invisible, both suggestions are an alternative solution for my problem.

Thanks.

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Message 5 of 12

Anonymous
Not applicable

I'd like to re-open this question, but my situatin is slightly different.  I have a column in the Parts List that will only ever contain an astericks, indicating that the part referenced is not visible.  We use a few non-geometric parts to keep our Inventor BOMs complete.  

 

I have tried altering the xml code for the style format of the table, only to find that the only things you can edit are the inside border and outside border.  This is not column-specific.  I also tried to import an excel file.  This worked to get the formatting I wanted, but there was no way to import this to the styles library.  

 

Can someone please provide me with any method by which I can take a table, have it function like a parts list, but have a single column with no border.  Thanks!

 

Nick

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Message 6 of 12

rhasell
Advisor
Advisor

Hi

 

Do you perhaps have an example, or a screen capture of what you wish to achieve?

 

Your post is a bit vague

Reg
2026.1
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Message 7 of 12

Anonymous
Not applicable

Below is an example of the format I am attempting to get into the Inventor Parts Table as it would appear in MS Excel.  I want the data (Item, Qty, Part Number, DWG Number, Material, Description and Mass) to be driven from the iProperties data.  I already have this functionality in a saved table in the Styles Library Parts Table.

 

What I need is a new column where an astericks can be placed to indicate that a part is not visible.  The astericks' parts not being visible is explained to the reader of the drawing in a seperate note.  In the past we have added a note manually containing only an astericks, and placed it next the BOM line items in the drawing that are not visible.  Of course, this creates issues when the BOM is re-arranged or items are added or deleted because the astericks is now next to the incorrect line item.

 

So, if I can create a new column with NO BORDERS, but keep the borders shown for the rest of the table, I can preserve my company's drawing format while ensuring that this designation for not visible parts will always be correct.  I hope that help clarify.  

 

Looking forward to your response.

 

Capture.JPG

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Message 8 of 12

rhasell
Advisor
Advisor

Hi

 

I have been thinking about this one, but have not come up with anything yet on how to have a column without any borders.

 

The items in question, are they always hidden from view, (Virtual Component) , E.G. Grease, or packing material? If that is the case, Inventor has ways of dealing with these items, and you can always have a custom property attached, which will be the asterisk in your case.

 

As far as the Column goes, I do not have a solution.

 

Reg
2026.1
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Message 9 of 12

Anonymous
Not applicable

I've added sketch symbols above and below a part table using VBA.  Might not be to difficult to adapt the VBA code to place a sketched symbol to the left of the table.

 

 

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Message 10 of 12

MechMachineMan
Advisor
Advisor

Uh. Why not just override the parts table item number value and make the item box have an asterisk with the item number if the part is not shown? Very easy built in solution and probably doesn't look too terrible depending on the alignment of the item number and what side the asterisk is on.


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Justin K
Inventor 2018.2.3, Build 227 | Excel 2013+ VBA
ERP/CAD Communication | Custom Scripting
Machine Design | Process Optimization


iLogic/Inventor API: Autodesk Online Help | API Shortcut In Google Chrome | iLogic API Documentation
Vb.Net/VBA Programming: MSDN | Stackoverflow | Excel Object Model
Inventor API/VBA/Vb.Net Learning Resources: Forum Thread

Sample Solutions:Debugging in iLogic ( and Batch PDF Export Sample ) | API HasSaveCopyAs Issues |
BOM Export & Column Reorder | Reorient Skewed Part | Add Internal Profile Dogbones |
Run iLogic From VBA | Batch File Renaming| Continuous Pick/Rename Objects

Local Help: %PUBLIC%\Documents\Autodesk\Inventor 2018\Local Help

Ideas: Dockable/Customizable Property Browser | Section Line API/Thread Feature in Assembly/PartsList API Static Cells | Fourth BOM Type
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Message 11 of 12

SER4
Collaborator
Collaborator

Here's an idea to vote for:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-ideas/parts-list-hide-unused-columns/idi-p/10084650

 

P.Eng. Mechanical Engineer
Dell Precision 5680 Laptop; Win11 Pro; 64GB RAM; i9-13900H CPU; Intel Iris Xe Graphics, NVIDIA RTX 3500 Ada Laptop GPU.
Vault Pro 2025.1 (30.1.63.0); Inventor Pro 2025.1.1 (241).
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Message 12 of 12

StewartFuchs
Participant
Participant

Why not create a custom column in Bill of Materials at the assembly level, then go through and put that asterisk in the custom column for each part as needed. Then you can turn it off and on (delete or have it) as required.  Then in your parts list, call up that column. It will always update according to how you manage that custom property in the BoM. 

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